Apparatus for attaching buttons



NOV. 25, 1969 SCURLQCK ET AL 3,480,192

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING BUTTONS Filed Feb. 4, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5| F; L""' 45 INVENTORS ROBERT L. SCURLOCK ALBERT TORONGQJR.

ATTORNEY 53 f 54 F/6.9 A

Nov. 25,1969 R. SCURLO CK ET A 3,480,192

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING' BUTTONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1963 ROBERT L. SURLOCK ALBERT TORONGQ,JR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 u oc ET AL 3,480,192

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING BUTTONS Filed Feb. 4. 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 5 ROBERT L. SCURLOCK ALBERT TORONGQMR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,480,192 APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING BUTTONS Robert L. Scurlock, New York, N.Y., and Albert Torongo, In, Washington Crossing, Pa., assignors to Scurlock, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 255,845 Int. Cl. A41h 37/10; B25c /02 U.S. Cl. 227-120 28 Claims The present invention relates to an apparatus pertainmg to the attachment of buttons, and more particularly to such apparatus wherein there is provided a button havlng a pair of bendable legs extending therefrom.

It has been recognized heretofore that standard procedures now in use for attaching buttons to garments, either originally or as replacements for lost buttons, generally are inefficient, tiresome and time consuming. These procedures comprise the sewing of buttons by hand or by machine to the fabric of the garment, and account for substantially all of the sewing of buttons, despite the fact there have been suggested in the art various alternatives for accomplishing the same purpose. For example, it has been suggested to fasten a button to a fabric by means of a wire fastener having legs which were inserted through the holes of the button and then bent after passing through the holes of the button and the fabric against which the button was placed. In another instance, an ordinary staple was utilized in similar fashion, the legs thereof being passed through the holes of the button and the fabric, and then bent. In still another instance, instead of an ordinary staple of metal or the like, it was suggested that a pin or staple of thermal plastic material be used, the leg or legs of which would be melted after passage through the button and fabric.

It has also been suggested that buttons could be made with staple-like devices secured to them, so that by passing the staple legs through the fabric of the garment, and subsequently bending them, the buttons could be suitably adhered to the fabric.

For various reasons, the above suggestions and alternative solutions to the problem of securing buttons to fabrics have as a whole not been accepted.

It is the object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus which will permit the placement of buttons on fabrics forming part of a garment or the like having such attributes and advantages as will make them acceptable and desirable, and which will overcome the deficiencies of those suggestions which have heretofore been made for the same or similar purposes.

A further object is the provision of an improved button having bendable legs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved device for holding and securing the buttons in position.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the fol lowing specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a shirt sleeve and cuff with a button in position thereover.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the button of the present invention attached to a fabric area of a garment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shirt front, with parts broken away, and showing a button in position to be stapled to the shirt front, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a button in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken at right angles to the view of FIG. 4.

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FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an end view, with parts removed and in sectlon, of a button stapling device in accordance with the present Invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another button stapling machine of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view, in perspective and with parts broken away, of the machine of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a button cartridge usable in the machine of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 12 in position in the machine.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1414 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view in perspective, with parts broken away, of another machine in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the device thereof in assembled relationship.

FIG. 17 is a perspective of another machine in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a sleeve 20', parts of the sleeve being broken away for clarity. The sleeve 20 terminates in a cuff 21 having at one area thereof a button slit 22. Opposite the area in which is located the button slit 22 is a cuff area generally designated 23, and which is intended to underlie the area in which is located the button slit 22. It is the area 23 to which a button is to be attached, and there is shown a button generally des ignated 30 which is characterized by a pair of bendable legs 31 and 32 extending from the underside thereof. It will be noted that the legs 31 and 32 lie along a. line or axis 34 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal edge 36 of the cuff bordering the area 23. It will also be noted that the line or axis 34 is parallel with the slit 22, and it will be understood that when the button 30 is attached the slit 22 will substantially overlie the line or axis 34.

There is shown in FIG. 2 a button 30 having the legs 31 and 32 passed through the fabric area 23, and bent on the underside thereof to secure the button 30 in position on the fabric.

In FIG. 3, there is shown the front portion of a shirt, generally designated 25, having a button slit 26 therein adjacent the edge of the shirt front. A button 30 is in position over the other side of the shirt front. It will be noted that the legs of the button 30 overlie an axis or line 28 which is parallel to the adjacent edge 29 of the shirt front side which contains the fabric area 27, and is parallel to the button slit 26. As will be understood, the button 30 is attached to the fabric area 27 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, and the shirt may thereupon be buttoned in the usual manner by passing the upper portion-of button 30' through the button slit 26.

More specifically, in the buttoning of a garment, the button must be rocked or rotated so that its median plane is at an angle, generally speaking, which intersects the plane of the fabric containing the button slit, so that the edge or side of the button may be passed through the button slit. Thereafter, the edge portion which is first passed through the button slit is depressed toward the fabric, the button slit fabric area is pulled, and the portion of the button which is opposite to that which first passed through the slit is then passed through the button slit, giving a complete buttoning operation. It will be noted that during this buttoning operation, and the same is true for an unbuttoning operation, the button rocks or rotates about an axis which is at the fabric area to which it is attached, and which axis is generally parallel to the button slit. This action is permitted with regard to button 30 on cuff 21, as shown in FIG. 1, and to button 30 on shirt front 25 as shown in 'FIG. 3, because of the unique positioning of the 'button 30 with its bendable legs.

Where buttons are sewn into a garment, the rocking of the button as above described presents no problem. However, where buttons including staples, or bendable legs, such as the button 30 are utilized, it has been found to be most important that the construction of the garment and the attachment of the button be such that the button may be rocked in order to effect the buttoning operation above described, and to that end there has been provided the herein above described method of first placing the button with extending bendable legs so that the legs lie along a line which is parallel to the button slit with which the button is to cooperate, and thereafter passing the legs through the fabric and bending them to secure the button in position.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is shown the button 30, which may be more properly referred to as a combined button and fastener, button 30 having, as above noted, the bendable legs 31 and 32. Legs 31 and 32 preferably are parts of an integral staple generally designated 33, the bight 34 of which lies within the button head 35. As will be understood, button head 35 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, and may take any desired shape, head 35 being shown to be round (see FIG. 6) by way of example. Preferably the upper surface of head 35, M11 have simulated threads thereon to give a conventional appearance when in position on a garment. Button head 31 has substantial lateral extent, in order to perform its usual function and cooperate with the material surrounding a button slit. Depending from the button head 35 is a shank 36 which may be seen to be generally laterally elongate, and of substantial depth. The depth of shank 36 is at least as great as the thickness of the fabric which it is intended to secure by being passed through a button slit thereof. As may be seen from FIG. 5, the legs 31 and 32 lie along an axis which is parallel to the long axis of elongate shank 36, this also being shown in FIG. 6. -As shown in FIG. 6, the depending legs 31 and 32 are covered or coated with a suitable non-corrosive material which forms a sheath about each of the legs 31 and 32, these sheaths being designated 37 and 38. By providing the sheaths 37 and 38, the legs 31 and 32 may be made of a rustable metal, with the covering material preventing the rusting thereof.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a button stapling machine generally designated 40 and comprising a cylindrical magazine 41 for holding a plurality of the buttons 30'. Button 30' is similar to the button 30, but has in the upper surface thereof a pair of holes to receive the legs 31 and 32, to thereby permit the buttons to be stacked in the manner shown with the legs 31 and 32 of one button entering into the holes in the head 35 of the button therebeneath. The holes for receiving the legs 31 and 32 lie along an axis which is slightly angled, by perhaps degrees, from the axis of the legs 31 and 32, so that alternate ones of the buttons 30' have the legs 31 and 32 thereof in a common plane, and the intermediate ones of the buttons 30' have their legs 31 and 32 in a plane at some 15 degrees to the aforementioned plane.

At the lower end of the tubular magazine 41 there are a plurality of weak leaf springs 42 and 43 which serve to retain the lower most button 30' in position. Leaf springs 42 and 43 have their upper edges thinned out or tapered, so as to permit the downward passage of buttons without obstruction; the leaf springs 42 and 43 may be soldered or otherwise attached to the tubular magazine 41 at their upper edges. A pair of pusher elements 44 and 45, of arcuate shape as shown in FIG. 8, each has an inwardly directed lug 46 and 47 extending through appropriate openings in the tube 41, the pusher elements 44 and 45 being joined by a suitable spring 48 and having upwardly directed, slanted, finger engaging portions 49 and 50, as may be seen in FIG. 9. Elements 44 and 45 are retained on the magazine by spring 48 and the lugs 46 and 47.

Below the tubular magazine 41 is a base 51 having an anvil 52, of known construction. Suitable connecting elements 53 and 54 permit the downward movement of the entire tubular magazine 41 towards the base 51 and anvil 52, which is provided with clinching grooves to cooperate with the legs 31 and 32 of any of the buttons in the magazine.

In operation, the magazine is loaded by pushing buttons upwardly through the button thereof, this causing the leaf springs 42 and 43 to yield, it being understood that the pusher elements 44 and 45 are spread apart slightly so that the lugs 46 and 47 are withdrawn from the interior of the magazine. Thereafter, in order to staple a button to a garment, a downward force is applied to the upper end of tubular magazine 41, forcing it towards the base 51, with the lugs 46 and 47 immediately above the upper surface of the lowermost button 30'. The legs 31 and 32 of the lowermost button 30' will pass through a fabric area, and will then engage the anvil 52 which will bend them in the manner shown in FIG. 2; the force applied to the tubular magazine 41 will be applied to the upper surface of this bottommost button 30' by the lugs 46 and 47, and after the legs 31 and 32 are bent, the lowermost button 30' will be pulled from the tubular magazine 41, overcoming the resistance of the springs 42 and 43. The button 30' which will now be lowermost in the tubular magazine 41 is above the lugs 46 and 47, and by engaging the inclined portions 49 and 50 with a finger, the pusher elements 44 and 45 will be spread outwardly so as to withdraw the lugs 46 and 47 from the tubular magazine 41, thereby permitting the lowermost button 30 to fall to the end of the tubular magazine 41, where it will be retained by the springs 42 and 43. The pusher elements 44 and 45 will then be returned to the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the stapling machine 40 will then be in position to repeat its cycle of operation.

. While the machine 40 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is suitable for attaching buttons in the manner discussed herein above, particularly in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, it will be noted that in FIG. 1 the axis 34 which is parallel to slit 22 is perpendicular to the adjacent fabric edge 36, while in FIG. 3 the axis 28 which is parallel to button slit 26 is also parallel to the edge 29 of the fabric. In order to permit the attachment of buttons 30 in the manner above described with great facility, a stapling machine 60 as shown in FIG. 10 is provided, comprising a base 61 and an arm 62 overlying it. As shown in FIG. 11, the base 61 is generally elongate in shape, and at its forward end is provided with an anvil 63 for cooperation with the bendable legs of the button, the anvil 63 having a recess 64 to accommodate the button shank 36 and a pair of grooves 65 which lie at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the base 61. Near the end of base 61 opposite the anvil 63 there is an upstanding torsion bar 66 which may be made integral with base 61 and which has an opening 67 through it.

The arm .62 has at one end a pair of plates 68 and 69 which are in spaced apart, parallel juxtaposition and which have small upwardly facing locking shoulders 70 and 71 adjacent their lower ends which cooperate with the opening 67 in the torsion bar 66. In assembling the arm 62 on the base 61, it will be understood that the tor; sion bar 66 is passed upwardly into the space between the plates 68 and 69, which will yield slightly due to the resilient nature of the material of which arm 62 is made, and will thereby be clamped tightly by the plates 68 and 69 when the assembly of the torsion bar 66 within the plates 68 and 69 is complete, in which position the shoulders 70 and 71 will be engaged with the undersurface of the opening 67 in torsion bar 66.

At the end of arm 62 opposite the plate 68, there is provided a chamber generally designated 72, which lies at an angle to the axis of arm 62, this angle being approximately 45. There is also provided on arm 62 a plunger 73.

In FIG. 12 there is shown a cartridge generally designated 75 having two cells 76 and 77 which are defined by a serpentine wall 78. Serpentine wall 78, as may be seen, has three parallel courses joined by arcuate wall portions, and is provided at its top with an outstanding flange 79. At the two end courses of serpentine wall 78, the flange 79 has a pair of curved resilient sections 81 and 82 which are partially severed therefrom and are given a permanent deformation relative thereto, where magazine 75 is of metal, the sections 81 and 82 thereby constituting leaf springs. Where cartridge 75 is of plastic, the sections 81 and 82 may be made in the positions shown. Within the cell 76, and extending transversely between the courses of the serpentine wall 78 is a slotted plate 83, and a similar plate 84 is in the cell 77. As may be seen from FIG. 12, adjacent the end of the cell 76 which is bounded by an arcuate wall portion, the plate 83 has an arcuate end with depending split arcuate flange 85, which cooperates with the arcuate wall portion to form a guiding discharge tube for the buttons 30. A similar end and split flange 86 is provided for the plate 84 of the cell 77. In FIG. 12, the cartridge 75 is shown with five buttons 30 in each cell 76 and 77 thereof, and with retainer lugs 87 and 88 near the end of each of the slots in the plates 83 and 84. The lugs 87 and 88 each has an inclined face to permit loading, and extends almost across the slot to retain the buttons 30. Cartridge 75 has a locking flange at either end, locking flange 89 being shown in FIG. 11.

The buttons 30 are positioned in each of the cells 76 and 77 with their legs and shanks 36 extending downwardly through the slots in the plates 8-3 and 84, the buttons thereby being maintained in proper orientation. Also, the flange 79 overlies the upper surface of the buttons 30 so as to positively retain them within the magazine 75. As will be understood, the buttons 30 in cell 76 may be different in color, size, shape, etc., from those in cell 77 so that a choice between at least two different styles of buttons may be obtained with the cartridge 75. The cells themselves may be differently colored to better identify the buttons therein. Instead of a cartridge having two cells for holding buttons, either a greater or lesser number of such cells may be provided in a cartridge, the stapler 60 being modified as desired to accommodate such a cartridge.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown generally the chamber 72, which has wide grooves 91 and 92 in the opposite walls thereof, and a trackway 93 in the upper part thereof. Trackway 93 is in alignment with the plunger 73, which is omitted from the FIG. 13 showing for clarity. In the trackway 93 there is the head of a generally T-shaped follower 94 which is urged towards the plunger 73 by the spring 95, which latter is suitably attached to the walls forming a chamber 72 as by pins therein (not shown). A detent 96 at the entrance of chamber 72 serves to retain the cartridge 75 in the chamber by cooperating with locking flange 89.

The follower 94 is retained in the arm 62 by the plunger 73, thus also retaining the spring 95, and when it is desired to insert a cartridge 75, this may be done by placing it in the chamber 72 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11. Be' cause the portions 81 and 82 have substantial vertical height, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the upper free ends thereof will rest against the underside of the portions of chamber walls 72 which form the grooves 91 and 92, thus holding the cartridge 75 in the position shown in FIG. 13 with its lower surface beneath the bottom of arm 62. As will be understood, when the cartridge 75 is inserted into chamber 72 the endmost one of the buttons 30 which is most remote from the discharge tube or port will engage the follower 94 and push it along the trackway 93 against the tension of the Spring 95. The cartridge 75 is retained in the chamber by detent 96.

When a button is to be aflixed to a sleeve, for example, the sleeve is positioned as shown in FIG. 10, with its longitudinal axis at substantially degrees to the longitudinal axis of the chamber 72. The plunger 73 is then pushed downwardly, causing the entire arm 62 to rotate, torsion bar 66 thereby being placed under stress. Since cartridge 75 extends below the bottom surface of the arm '62, it will engage with the sleeve, and its downward movement will thereby be halted. Continued downward movement of plunger 73 will continue to force arm 62 downwardly, thereby stressing the spring sections 81 and 82 of cartridge 75. Also, the bottom of plunger 73 will engage with the endmost one of the buttons 30, the one lying above the discharge port, and will force it downwardly as shown in FIG. 14. As will be noted from FIG. 14, the arcuate wall portion and/or arcuate split flange 85 forming the discharge port or tube may have a small bead 97 to prevent unintended escape of a button 30 through the discharge port, the head 97 being so small that it is overridden by the button 30 when forced outwardly by the plunger 73. Plunger 73 has an inclined portion 98 which faces toward the remaining buttons 30 in the chamber 76, and so as the plunger 73 moves downwardly and forces the endmost button 30 through the discharge tube or port, the portion 98 thereof will engage the adjacent button 30 and prevent it from moving towards the discharge tube or port and interfering with the operation of the plunger 73 and the button 30 which is being manipulated. The button 30 which has been forced through the discharge tube or port will have the bendable legs thereof forced through the fabric of the sleeve, and bent in the manner shown in FIG. 2 by the slots 65 in anvil 63, the recess 64 of which receives the shank of the button 30. Thereafter, release of the plunger 73 will enable the parts to return to the position of FIGS. 10 and 13 by torsion bar 66 and resilient sections 81 and 82. Plunger 73 will then be above the level of the next button 30, and it will be moved into position above the discharge tube or port under the urging of spring 95.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown in exploded perspective a stapling machine generally designated 100 comprising a base 101 having a torsion bar 66 thereon. Base 101 is generally elongate in plan form, with the end thereof opposite torsion bar 66 being inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the major longitudinal axis of base 101. An anvil 63 is provided in the end of the base 101. Also on the base is a cartridge receiving chamber generally designated 102 and comprising the side walls 103 and 104 and a rear wall 105. A plate 106 extends from the rear wall 105, above and generally parallel to base 101, plate 106 having a pair of notches therein, the notch 107 being shown on the drawing.

Each of the walls 103 and 104 is provided with an inwardly directed groove, a groove 108 being shown in wall 104, and the reverse side of the groove 109 being shown in wall 103. Each of the walls 103 and 104 is also provided with inwardly extending plates 111, 111'.

An arm 110 is provided, and is generally in the form of a hollow shell with an open bottom. It has the same plan form as base 101, and has suitable plates therein for cooperating with the torsion bar 66 in the manner described above in connection with the stapling machine 60.

It carries a plunger 73. A spring 118 outwardly of the walls 103 and 104 has its ends fastened to the walls 103 and 104, as at the notch 104' in wall 104: spring 118 cooperates with a follower 112. Follower 112 comprises a pair of vertically extending end plates 113 and 114 having inturned flanges which ride in the grooves 108 and 109. Suitable notches are provided in the plate 113 and 114 to cooperate with the spring 118. A forwardly extending arm 115 serves to carry a pusher element 116- which will engage With the last button in the cartridge.

The cartridge 120 has a pair of side walls 121 and 122 which extend longitudinally in generally parallel relationship, and at their forward ends are angled at approximately 45 degrees, with an arcuate portion 123 joining the juxtaposed ends of the two walls. Each of the walls 121 and 122 has, at the top edge thereof, an inwardly extending flange 125, 126 to retain buttons therein. A slotted plate 127 extends between the two Walls 121 and 122, plate 127 being formed, preferably, as a pair of inwardly and oppositely extending flanges. Plate 127 has a depending split flange (not shown) which is generally arcuate, like flange 85, and cooperates with the wall portion 123 to define a discharge tube for the buttons.

The stapling machine 100 may be assembled by joining the arm 110 to the base 101 by means of the torsion bar 66.

A cartridge 120 loaded with buttons such as the buttons 30 may be positioned in the stapling device 100 by slightly raising the arm 110, suificiently to permit the cartridge 120 to be inserted into the chamber 102 between the walls 103 and 104. The walls 103 and 104 will frictionally engage the sides 121 and 122 of cartridge 120, and said walls 121 and 122 will rest on plates 111 and 111 as shown in FIG. 16, and by the application of sufficient force the cartridge 120 may be slid into the chamber 102, with the rearmost of the buttons therein engaging the pusher element 116 of follower 112 and thereby urging follower 112 rearwardly against the force of spring 118. At its rearmost position, the side walls 121 and 122 of the cartridge 120 will lodge and be locked between the notches 107 provided in the plate 106 and the walls 103 and 104 and will be thereby held immovably on the base 101. Thereafter, upon release of the arm 110, the cartridge 120 will be firmly retained in its position in the chamber 102 on plates 111 and 111 and the plunger 73 will overly the button which is at the discharge port in cartridge 120. When it is desired to secure a button to a garment, the garment is placed over the anvil 63 in the manner above set forth, and the arm 110 will be depressed, thus causing the plunger 73 to engage with the button at the guiding discharge tube and force it through the discharge tube in the manner aforesaid, the discharge tube being provided with retaining lugs or elements, if desired. When arm 110 is released, the button will have been secured on the garment, and the forces in torsion bar 66 will cause it to be raised, thus permitting the spring 118 and follower 112 to push a button into position at the discharge tube. It will be understood that the legs and shank of the button will extend downwardly in the slot in plate 127, and the buttons will be enabled to follow, one behind the other, to the discharge port, turning the corner by virtue of the guidance furnished by the slot in plate 127 which cooperates with the depending shanks of the buttons. Since the follower 112 does not turn the corner, the last button in the cartridge 120 may be a dummy, to act as a feeder to transfer the force from follower 112 to the next adjacent button 30.

In FIG. 17, there is shown a stapling machine 130 which has the same plan form as the stapler 100 of FIG. 15. Stapler 130 has a base 131 and an arm 132, the front part 133 of which may be pivoted upwardly on a suitable hinge to permit loading of a cartridge 134 into a chamber provided by the arm 132. The cartridge 134 and arm 132 are constructed in a manner similar to the chamber 72 of arm 62 and cartridge 75 of stapling machine 60, and consequently the functioning of stapler will be readily understood to be similar to that of stapling machine 60.

The stapling machine shown in FIG. 18 comprises a base 141 and an arm 142 having an upper portion 143 and a lower portion 144 all of which have the same plan form as stapler 100. Lower portion 144 constitutes a holder for the buttons 30 shown therein. A plunger attached to upper portion 143 drives a button 30 through a discharge tube, in known manner, and then a spring urged follower advances the row of buttons 30.

There has been provided a method for attaching combined buttons and fasteners to a garment for cooperation with a button slit, which method is simple, easily understood and efiicient, and results in the secure and proper fastening of a button in position on a garment.

There has also been provided a combined button and fastener of superior construction, which is economically fabricated of readily available materials.

The stapling machines herein disclosed are capable of being easily loaded and used, are of sturdy, durable construction, and are economical to manufacture. The cartridges which form a part of some of the stapling machines may be manufactured so economically as to not require their re-use.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis, an elongate chamber in said arm having the axis thereof inclined at substantially 45 degrees with respect to said transverse axis, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to said chamber axis, a spring urged follower carried by said arm in said chamber and adapted to engage an end button in said cartridge, a plunger carried by said arm for forcing buttons through said discharge port, and an anvil carried by said base beneath said discharge port.

2. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis comprising an upstanding torsion bar on said base having an opening therethrough, a pair of plates on said arm in engaging relationship with said torsion bar on either side thereof, said plates having locking shoulders engaged in the opening of said torsion bar, an elongate chamber in said arm having the axis thereof inclined at substantially 45 degrees with respect to said transverse axis, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to said chamber axis, a plunger carried by said arm for forcing buttons out of said cartridge through said discharge port, and an anvil carried by said base beneath said discharge port.

3. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis, an elongate chamber in said arm having an axis, said chamber having a pair of grooves in the opposite walls thereof parallel to the axis of said chamber, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to said chamber axis, means mounting said cartridge in said chamber for movement transversely of said grooves comprising resilient means on said cartridge positioned in said grooves, a plunger carried by said arm for forcing buttons out of said cartridge through said discharge port, and an anvil carried by said base beneath said discharge port.

4. A device for stapling buttons having a shank and bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis, an elongate chamber in said arm having an axis, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to said chamber axis, a plunger carried by said arm for forcing buttons out of said cartridge through said discharge port, and an anvil carried by said base beneath said discharge port, said anvil having a recess therein for receiving the shank of a button and having grooves in the bottom of said recess for guiding the button legs in bending movement.

5. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis, an elongate chamber in said arm, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to the chamber axis, a plunger carried by said arm for forcing buttons out of said cartridge through sad discharge port, said plunger having an inclined portion facing toward said follower, and an anvil carried by said base beneath said discharge port.

6. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom comprising a linearly extending base, an arm overlying said base, means pivotally connecting said arm to said base along a transverse axis comprising an upstanding torsion bar on said base and a pair of plates on said arm in engaging relationship with said torsion bar on either side thereof, means for holding a plurality of buttons, a discharge port, means for forcing a button through said discharge port, and anvil means on said base beneath said discharge port.

7. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs comprising means for supporting at least one article having a head, a shank beneath said head and bendable legs means extending therefrom, a discharge port in said supporting means, means for forcing an article through said port, an anvil in juxtaposition with said port, said anvil having a recess therein for receiving the shank of a button and grooves in the bottom thereof.

8. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a pair of parallel walls, slotted divider plate means between said walls for supporting a plurality of buttons, said walls having flange means extending laterally thereof, said flange means having curved resilient sections extending therefrom to thereby form leaf springs for said cartridge.

9. A cartridge as set forth in claim 8, said flange means being discontinuous beneath said sections.

10. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a pair of parallel walls, slotted divider plate means between said walls for supporting a plurality of buttons, said walls having integral flange means extending laterally thereof, and curved resilient sections integral with said flange means for forming springs for said cartridge.

11. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a serpentine wall having at least three parallel courses, adjacent courses of said wall being joined by arcuate wall portions to provide at least a pair of cells, and a slotted divider plate in each said cell, each said divider plate having an arcuate end portion adjacent said arcuate wall portion to define therewith a discharge port.

12. The cartridge of claim 11, and further comprising spring means extending therefrom yieldable upon movement of said cartridge in a direction transverse to said divider plate.

13. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a pair of parallel walls having juxtaposed ends joined by an arcuate wall section, a divider plate extending between said two walls having a slot therein parallel to said walls, said divider plate having an arcuate end adjacent said arcuate wall section forming therewith adischarge port.

14. A'cartridge as set forth in claim 13, a bead adjacent the discharge port to prevent accidental escape of a button from said cartridge, and a split arcuate flange depending fromthe arcuate end of said divider plate forming a discharge tube with said arcuate wall section.

15: A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising spaced parallel side walls and slotted divider plate means extending between them, said cartridge having a discharge port therein communicating with said slotted divider plate means, said walls having angled parallel portions adjacent said discharge port.

16; T he cartridge of claim 15, said walls being angled at approximately 45 degrees.

17. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, means on said base defining a cartridge receiving chamber, a spring-urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, means in said cartridge defining a discharge port at one end thereof, said discharge port overlying said anvil, said cartridge being adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having heads and bendable legs extending from the head and through the slot in said plate.

18. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, chamber defining means on said base comprising a pair of spaced walls, beads on said wall extending inwardly into said chamber, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, the side walls of said cartridge being in frictional contact with said beads, means in said cartridge defining a discharge port at one end thereof, said discharge port overlying said anvil, said cartridge being adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having heads and bendable legs extending from the head and through the slot in said plate.

19. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, chamber defining means on said base comprising a pair of spaced walls, beads on said wall extending inwardly into said chamber, a spring urged follower in said chamber, a cartridge in said chamber comprising a pair of spaced sidewalls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, the side walls of said cartridge being in frictional contact with said beads, said follower comprising a pair of spaced plates and a pusher element, said spaced plates each lying between a said cartridge side wall and a said chamber-defining wall, means in said cartridge defining a discharge port at one end thereof, said discharge port overlying said anvil, said cartridge being adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having heads and bendable legs extending from the head and through the slot in said plate.

20. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, means in said arm for receiving a cartridge, a cartridge in said receiving means comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, said cartridge being adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having heads and bendable legs extending from the head and through the slot in said plate, the slot of said slotted plate adjacent said plunger being parallel with the slots in said anvil.

21. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, said arm comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being movable into said upper portion and adapted to receive a plurality of buttons having bendable legs extending therefrom.

22. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, and means for holding a plurality of buttons comprising spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween.

23. A stapling machine comprising an elongate base having a major longitudinal axis and an end portion inclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees thereto, an anvil on said base having slots therein at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said longitudinal axis, an arm overlying said base and pivotally attached thereto, a plunger carried by said arm over said anvil, and means for holding a plurality of buttons comprising spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween.

24. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion at an angle to said first portion, said portions comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, and means defining a discharge port transverse to said plate and communicating With the slot of said plate.

25. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to said first portion, said portions comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetween, and

means defining a discharge port transverse to said plate and communicating with the slot of said plate.

26. A cartridge for a stapling machine comprising a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion at an angle to said first portion, said portions comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a slotted plate extending therebetwen, said side walls at one end being joined by an arcuate wall portion, said slotted plate having an arcuate end adjacent said arcuate wall portion to define therewith a discharge port.

27. A device for stapling buttons having bendable legs comprising a linearly extending base, an arm movably connected with said base, an elongate chamber in said arm having the axis thereof inclined at substantially forty-five degrees with respect to the axis of said base, a cartridge in said chamber adapted to hold a plurality of buttons having bendable legs, said cartridge comprising track means for guiding buttons and a discharge port, said track means being generally parallel to said chamber axis, spring urged follower means for urging buttons on said cartridge toward said discharge port, a plunger for forcing butons through said discharge port, and an anvil in juxtaposition with said plunger, said plunger and said anvil being carried by said arm and said base.

28. A stapling machine comprising a base, arm means movably connected with said base and comprising means for holding a plurality of buttons having heads and bendable legs extending from the head, discharge port means in said arm, means for urging buttons toward said discharge port means along a path, plunger means for removing buttons from said arm, anvil means in juxtaposition with said discharge port means having slots therein parallel to said path and at substantially fortyfive degrees to said arm and base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 290,353 12/1883 Prentice 2496 XR 457,970 8/ 1891 Mathison 2496 685,208 10/1901 Holt 2496 1,369,420 2/ 1921 Gillespie 19O 1,694,802 12/ 1928 Stuart 2490 2,326,593 8/1943 Wollin 2490 2,632,889 3/1953 Beecroft 13l8 X 2,690,561 10/ 1954 Scheurmann 1-419 X 2,786,201 3/ 1957 Ehrlich -1 1-3 18 3,119,115 1/1964 Bello 1318 FOREIGN PATENTS 193,990 1/ 1908 Germany.

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner 

1. A DEVICE FOR STAPLING BUTTONS HAVING BENDABLE LEGS EXTENDING THEREFROM COMPRISING A LINEARLY EXTENDING BASE, AN ARM OVERLYING SAID BASE, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID ARM TO SAID BASE ALONG A TRANSVERSE AXIS, AN ELONGATE CHAMBER IN SAID ARM HAVING THE AXIS THEREOF INCLINED AT SUBSTANTIALLY 45 DEGREES WITH RESPECT TO SAID TRANSVERSE AXIS, A CARTRIDGE IN SAID CHAMBER ADAPTED TO HOLD A PLURALITY OF BUTTONS HAVING BENDABLE LEGS, SAID CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TRACK MEANS FOR GUIDING BUTTONS AND A DISCHARGE PORT, SAID TRACK MEANS BEING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID CHAMBER AXIS, A SPRING URGED FOLLOWER CARRIED BY SAID ARM IN SAID CHAMBER AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AN END BUTTON IN SAID CARTRIDGE, A PLUNGER CARRIED BY SAID ARM FOR FORCING BUTTONS THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE PORT, AND AN ANVIL CARRIED BY SAID BASE BENEATH SAID DISCHARGE PORT. 